Anna Maria Pitella, President of the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group, was recently honored by the Ocean County Bar Association for her outstanding achievement being held in the highest esteem by her colleagues in the Bar Association for her professionalism in the practice of law.  She uses that same professional approach in all of her collaborative divorce matters. Here is a photo of the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group president accepting the award:

SUZANNE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING THE ETHICS OPINION ALLOWING COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE IN NEW JERSEY!

HER WORK HAS SERVED AS A MODEL FOR ATTORNEYS NATIONWIDE AND WE PROUDLY CALL HER OUR OWN! 

Suzanne has been at the foundation of our group since our beginning in 2004. Our practice group was initiated in Ocean County, New Jersey by a core group of approximately twelve professionals. Before we could even begin, we had to obtain Ethics approval from the Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court in order to allow both attorneys and non-attorneys to associate in a professional association. Suzanne researched and fashioned the inquiry to the Ethics Committee and then communicated with the Ethics Committee responding to their questions in a timely and thoughtful manner during the process that took a year. In December 2005 the Ethics Committee issued Opinion 699 that for the first time permitted attorneys and non-attorneys to form an association and further approved the concept of collaborative divorce in New Jersey. Suzanne’s gentle persuasive demeanor was an invaluable asset in having the concept of collaborative law introduced into the fabric of the divorce process in New Jersey. Due to Suzanne’s efforts we were able to begin publicizing collaborative practice and begin our public education movement. Suzanne has conducted herself in every situation with grace and diplomacy particularly when certain factions of the Mediation and Litigation Bar were less than enchanted by the notion of “competition” in the area of divorce. Suzanne has served as our second president in the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group. For all intents and purposes, Suzanne remains an “unsung hero” because she will rarely note her invaluable part in bringing this movement to New Jersey. She has frequently coauthored articles for other members of the group being satisfied with a byline. Her efforts may have gone unnoticed by many of the present members since we have grown to 102 since our original 12.  Many do not even know who Suzanne is. For those who began the group Suzanne was the key player in allowing us to begin the group we are today. For this we are extremely grateful and proud to nominate Suzanne Jorgensen as our “Unsung Hero”.

First and foremost place Dec. 1 2009 on your calendar for a networking meeting and dinner with collaborative practitioners from the Tri-State area and a wonderful program with Sharon Ellison who was featured at the most recent IACP forum in Minnesota. Just read the testimonials and you'll see that this is an event that you won't want to miss! We already have about a dozen people signed up from our group and the invitation is just now going out!!

The other attachments are on training for those who require the basic collaborative interdisciplinary training or wish advanced training and 8 hour or 40 hour mediation training offered on different dates. Continuing eduaction credit is either on the form or information is available from the instructor. If anyone knows of other offerings please get it to me.

8 hour mediation NY 11.5 & 7.09.doc (23.50 kb)

40 hr mediation NY.doc (27.50 kb)

Basic collab training 1.16 & 23 .09.doc (98.00 kb)

NYACPCollabDivDecTrainingFlyer 12. 9 & 10.09.doc (22.00 kb)

Flyer - Sharon Ellison 12.1.09.doc (52.00 kb)

Advanced collab training 11.14.09.doc (49.00 kb)

8-Hour Basic Mediation Skills Course

This is a new course offered by NJAPM.  You should take this course if you:

·         You want to learn basic mediation skills before taking a 28-civil or 40-hour mediation training course

·         You are a collaborative law professional and need a basic 8 –hour training

·         You want to refresh your mediation skills

Program topics include:

·         Types of mediation

·         Imbalance of power

·         Self-determination

·         Mediation techniques

·         Dealing with high conflict parties

·         Joint meetings and caucus

·         Professional standards, court rules and the Uniform Mediation Act

·         Ethics issues

Please see the attached flyer or the website for more details and a registration form.

Mediationbasics2009.PDF (72.45 kb)

Linda Piff, Esq. and Ann Marie O’Hare, CPA presented a seminar on growing your collaborative practice titled “Passion, Profit, and Personal Service” to the Washington, DC area collaborative practice group on September 11, 2009.  The seminar was well received by the 40 or so collaborative practitioners from Maryland and Washington, DC that attended, including attorneys, financial professionals, and mental health professionals.  The seminar was a test run of the workshop Linda Piff and Ann Marie O’Hare will be presenting at the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Forum in Minneapolis in October.

MEDIATION TRAINING Presented by: Anna Mae Perillo, Esquire

Pioneer of mediation for more than 20 years Accredited by the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators

With special guest presenters including: Joseph Gunteski, CPA, PSA, DABFA and others from the mental health, financial and legal fields to be announced

Date:Wednesday, September 23, 2009 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location:     The Sheraton, Eatontown, New Jersey

Description:     This is an 8 hour course for the development and improvement of mediation skills for attorneys and mental health and financial professionals. The focus will be on mediating Family Law matters, but skills translate to other areas. This course satisfies the requirements for Collaborative Law groups mandating an 8 hour mediation course. It has also been “approved for credit” by the AOC under New Jersey Court Rule 1:40-12(b).

The cost is $325 to be paid in full and returned with the attached registration form. Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshment and mediation training materials. Mail completed registration form, along with payment to: Anna Mae Perillo, Esq. 212 Maple Avenue Red Bank, NJ 07701 For more information, please call 732-758-8333 or e-mail, annamaeperillo@aol.com

Mediation Training Flyer 9-23-09.docx (21.78 kb)

Registration Form 9-23-09.docx (10.98 kb)

For members of the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group looking to complete mediation training, the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators has a course with three different upcoming dates: October 22, 2009, February 9, 2010 and May 11, 2010.

The attached flyer details a program which satisfies our guidelines.

Mediationbasics2009.pdf (77.48 kb)

Ann Marie O'Hare, AnnaMae Perillo, and Anna Maria Pitella mugging for the camera and confusing us all with their similar names!

President Pitella, with Maria Stork and Cynthia Lowe  

Matt Abatamarco, Esq. with JSCLG Vice President, Vinnie DeLuca, Esq. 

JSCLG president Anna Maria Pitella introduces the group's 100th member:

Jennifer Hayden, Mortgage Broker, Arlington Capital Mortgage Corp

Ms. Hayden is available to discuss your mortgage options and the collaborative divorce process.

A two day training program is set for September 12, and September 26, 2009.

An introductory two-day training providing a sound foundation on the nuts and bolts of collaborative law with role play of an entire collaborative case including mental health professionals and financial professionals in the role play.  The program will demonstrate why traditional approaches to divorce do not help couples and their children reach optimal lasting solutions, and why collaborative family law is so powerfully effective.

September 12 and September 26 2009 Flyer and Registration Form.doc (104.00 kb)